The objectives of the Library of Congress Packard Campus public programs are: 1) to showcase the film, television, radio and recorded sound collections of the Library of Congress. 2) To celebrate the extraordinary range of creativity and exuberance inherent in the recorded forms of American culture and entertainment since the late 19th century.3) And, to demonstrate the work of the staff and laboratories devoted to preserving and restoring analog and digital audiovisual materials in the Packard Campus laboratories.
The Packard Campus Theater screens films year round, usually on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The schedule for each month is posted approximately two weeks in advance. Short subjects are presented before select programs. Titles are subject to change without notice.
In case of inclement weather, check the reservation line at (540) 827-1079 ext. 79994 or (202) 707-9994 no sooner than three hours before show time to see if the movie has been cancelled.
The Packard Theater will be closed on March 29 -30 for the Easter Holiday weekend.
Request ADA accommodations at least five business days in advance at (202) 707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov
May 2013 Schedule
A month-long tribute to our Armed Forces in commemoration of Memorial Day is the focus of the film screenings in May with titles highlighting the Army, the Marine Corps, the Navy and the Air Force. Our continuing series of films from 1933 will feature the social consciousness features "Heroes for Sale" and "The Bitter Tea of General Yen."
Thursday, April 25 (7:30 p.m.)
SILENT MOVIE DOUBLE FEATURE
CAMILLE (Metro, 1921)
A young law student becomes smitten with a courtesan who gives up her glamorous life for him, only to meet a tragic end. Screenwriter June Mathis updated this adaptation of Alexandre Dumas, novel "La Dame aux Camélias" to 1920s Paris. The production features lavish Art Deco sets by art director Natacha Rambova.
Directed by Ray C. Smallwood. With Nazimova and Rudolph Valentino.
Romantic drama. Black & white, 70 min.
A GENTLEMAN OF PARIS (Paramount, 1927)
Though engaged to a general’s daughter, unabashed womanizer the Marquis de Marignan spends a great deal of time escaping the wrath of outraged husbands. The Marquis is regularly rescued from disaster by his faithful valet until he makes the mistake of dallying with his servant's wife!
Directed by Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast. With Adolphe Menjou, Shirley O'Hara and Nicholas Soussanin.
Romantic comedy. Black & white, 65 min.
Ben Model will provide musical accompaniment for both of these films which are part of the "April in Paris" series.
Friday, April 26 (7:30 p.m.)
LITTLE WOMEN (RKO, 1933)
As their father is off fighting in the Civil War, the four March sisters at home with their Marmee, help the poor, fight to keep their family together, and find love. This faithful version of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Directed by George Cukor. With Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Frances Dee and Jean Parker.
Historical family drama. Black & white, 115 min.
Part of the "Nothing to Fear, But Fear Itself" series.
Saturday, April 27 (2:00 p.m.)
DAMN YANKEES! (Warner Bros., 1958)
When an aging, frustrated Washington Senators baseball fan says he'd sell his soul to see the club get one good hitter; a devilish Mr. Applegate appears to fulfill his wish, and transforms him into the club's new star. This faithful translation of the hit Broadway musical includes the songs "(You Gotta Have) Heart," "Whatever Lola Wants," and a mambo memorably danced by Gwen Verdon and choreographer Bob Fosse.
Directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen. With Tab Hunter, Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston.
Sports musical comedy. Color, 111 min.
Saturday, April 27 (7:30 p.m.)
PAPER MOON (Paramount, 1973)
Travelling Bible salesman/con artist Moses Pray unexpectedly finds himself saddled with an orphaned young girl, and the two forge an unlikely partnership. Tatum O'Neal won an Academy Award for Best Supporting actress for portraying Addie in her film debut.
Directed by Peter Bogdanovich. With Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal and Madeline Kahn.
Rescheduled from March. Depression era crime comedy-drama. Black & white, 102 min.
Thursday, May 2 (7:30 p.m.)
SO PROUDLY WE HAIL (Paramount, 1943)
The story of three nurses returning from the war in the Philippines is told in flashback from December 1941, when their Hawaii-bound ship is diverted to Bataan after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Their adventures continue to Corregidor before they can try to return to the U.S.
Directed by Mark Sandrich. With Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard and Veronica Lake.
War drama/romance. Black & white, 126 minutes.
Saluting the Army as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Friday, May 3 (7:30 p.m.)
HEROES FOR SALE (First National/Warner Bros., 1933)
From the trenches of WWI to the breadlines of 1933, a wounded veteran desperately tries to find work encountering drug addiction, communism, Red Squads, police brutality and riots along the way. An inspiring dramatic story of one man's sacrifices and survival up to and including the Great Depression.
Directed by William A. Wellman. With Richard Barthelmess. Aline MacMahon and Loretta Young.
Social drama. Black & white, 71 minutes.
Part of the "Nothing to Fear, But Fear Itself," films of 1933 series.
Saturday, May 4 (7:30 p.m.)
WHAT PRICE GLORY (Twentieth Century Fox, 1952)
In 1918 France, Captain Flagg commands a disreputable company of Marines; his new top sergeant is his old friendly enemy, Quirt. The two men become rivals for the favors of fair innkeeper's daughter Charmaine, but the rivalry goes into reverse when Charmaine proves to be angling for a husband. When the company is ordered to the front, this comedy interlude gives way to the grim realities of war.
Directed by John Ford. With James Cagney, Dan Dailey, Corrine Calvet, William Demarest and Robert Wagner.
World War I comedy-drama. Color, 111 minutes.
Saluting the Marine Corps as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Friday, May 10 (7:30 p.m.)
THE QUEBE SISTERS BAND --- LIVE IN CONCERT!
Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe on fiddles and singing three-part harmony are joined by Joey McKensie on rhythm guitar and of Gavin Kelso on upright bass. The Quebe Sisters Band (pronounced kway-bee) will perform their special blend of western swing, vintage country, bluegrass, jazz and swing standards, and Texas-style fiddling on the Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation Center Stage.
Saturday, May 11 (7:30 p.m.)
MEMPHIS BELLE (Warner Bros., 1990)
The true story of the 25th and last mission of the American B-17 bomber, the Memphis Belle - the first plane to survive long enough to achieve this feat, and her crew who is likely the first to return successfully to the States. This feature was based on the 1943 documentary "Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress."
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones. With Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz and Tate Donovan.
World War II drama. Color, 107 minutes.
Saluting the Air Force as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Thursday, May 16 (7:30 p.m.)
THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN (Columbia, 1933)
A headstrong American missionary arrives in Shanghai during the Chinese Civil War and finds herself dangerously attracted to a cruel Chinese warlord. This absorbing tale of interracial tension was banned in the British Empire for its theme of miscegenation.
Directed by Frank Capra. With Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther and Walter Connolly.
Social drama. Black & white, 88 minutes.
Part of the "Nothing to Fear, But Fear Itself," films of 1933 series.
Friday, May 17 (7:30 p.m.)
SHOULDER ARMS (First National, 1918)
Charlie Chaplin wrote, directed and stars in this hilarious silent comedy about a boot camp private who has a dream of becoming a hero by going on a daring mission behind enemy lines. Additional WWI silent shorts will be included on the program.
Andrew Simpson will provide live musical accompaniment.
With Edna Purviance and Syd Chaplin.
WWI comedy. Black & white, 46 minutes plus shorts.
Saluting the Army as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Saturday, May 18 (2:00 p.m.)
FRANCIS JOINS THE WACS (Universal, 1954)
Francis, an experienced talking Army mule, and his young soldier pal Peter Stirling were featured in seven popular movie comedies in the 1950s. In this fourth entry in the series, an Army snafu sends Francis and Stirling to a Women's Army Corps base, causing all sorts of problems.
Directed by Arthur Lubin. With Donald O'Connor, Chill Wills, Julia Adams and Mamie Van Doren.
World War II comedy. Black & white, 95 minutes.
Saluting the Navy as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Thursday, May 23 (7:30 p.m.)
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Paramount, 2006)
Based on the book of the same name, this World War II drama reconstructs the events surrounding the six U.S. soldiers who were instantly immortalized when they were photographed raising the American flag atop Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi.
Directed by Clint Eastwood. With Ryan Phillippe, Jessie Bradford, Adam Breach, Barry Pepper and Jamie Bell.
World War II historical drama. Color, 132 minutes.
Saluting the Marine Corps as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Thursday, May 30 (7:30 p.m.)
THOUSANDS CHEER (MGM, 1943)
A circus aerialist reluctantly becomes an army private and complications ensue when he falls in love with the colonel's beautiful daughter. Top MGM stars including Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball and Eleanor Powell perform when the colonel's daughter decides to put on a mammoth show for the servicemen.
Directed by George Sidney. With Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson.
World War II musical comedy romance. Color, 125 minutes.
Saluting the Army as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
Friday, May 31 (7:30 p.m.)
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (MGM, 1945)
The true story of a squadron of U.S. Navy PT boats that fought a rear guard action against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in the months after Pearl Harbor.
Directed by John Ford. With John Wayne, Robert Montgomery, Donna Reed, Jack Holt, Ward Bond and Marshall Thompson.
World War II historical drama. Black & white, 135 minutes.
Saluting the Navy as part of the "Tribute to the Armed Forces" series.
June 2013 Schedule
A silent film week with three of the country’s top accompanists on hand will include two evenings devoted to rare films at the Packard Theater and a special ticketed screening of the Buster Keaton comedy classic “Sherlock Jr.” at Culpeper’s historic State Theatre. The traditional month for weddings will be celebrated with the film series “Another Bride, Another June.” Special events include a program of early Wright Brothers aviation footage presented by historian Paul Glenshaw and an evening of TV Women of the 1950s and 60s hosted by author Cary O’Dell.
Saturday, June 1 (7:30 p.m.)
SPRING PARADE (Universal, 1940)
A Hungarian peasant woman buys a card from a gypsy fortune teller at a Viennese fair that makes outlandish predictions of romance and success she believes can never come true. Or can they? This brand new print of the rarely screened, Oscar nominated musical is being shown as a tribute to the lyric soprano-actress Deanna Durbin, who passed away in April at the age of 91.
Directed by Henry Koster. With Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings. S.Z. Sakall, Henry Stevenson and Misha Auer.
Romantic musical comedy. Black & white, 89 minutes.
Thursday, June 6 (7:30 p.m.)
ACCIDENTALLY AND INTENTIONALLY PRESERVED: A SHOWCASE OF NEWLY PRESERVED SILENT SHORTS FROM ARCHIVES AROUND THE WORLD. aka Pull-Up-Your-Shorts (Various, 1920s)
The evening will include a short film starring the famous French singer Mistinguett, who starred at the Moulin Rouge and was at one time the highest paid female entertainer in the world. In addition to prints from contributing archives, other rare movies will be screened that exist as a result of collectors' passion for films.
Andrew Simpson, Ben Model and Phil Carli will provide live musical accompaniment.
Black & white, approximately 120 minutes.
Friday, June 7 (7:30 p.m.)
THE FAMILY SECRET (Universal, 1924)
A working class man, secretly married to a rich man's daughter, is disliked by her father who has him arrested as a burglar. While in prison, his wife, who has been told he is dead, gives birth to his daughter. Four year pass and we meet the charming young daughter, played by “Baby Peggy” (Diana Serra Cary) who has problems of her own, but with humor and charm brings the family together.
Andrew Simpson, Ben Model and Phil Carli will provide live musical accompaniment.
Directed by William Seiter. With Baby Peggy, Gladys Hulette and Edward Earle.
Heartwarming family melodrama. Black and white, 70 minutes. A restoration in progress.
Friday, June 7 (7:30 p.m.)
THE FAMILY SECRET (Universal, 1924)
A working class man, secretly married to a rich man's daughter, is disliked by her father who has him arrested as a burglar. While in prison, his wife, who has been told he is dead, gives birth to his daughter. Four year pass and we meet the charming young daughter, played by “Baby Peggy” (Diana Serra Cary) who has problems of her own, but with humor and charm brings the family together.
Andrew Simpson, Ben Model and Phil Carli will provide live musical accompaniment.
Directed by William Seiter. With Baby Peggy, Gladys Hulette and Edward Earle.
Heartwarming family melodrama. Black and white, 70 minutes. A restoration in progress.
Saturday, June 8 (7:30 p.m.)
SHERLOCK JR. (Metro, 1924)
This screening will be held at Culpeper’s historic State Theatre with a $10 admission charge. Tickets available at the door or in advance by calling the State Theatre Box Office at 540-829-0292.
A hapless projectionist dreams his way onto the screen and takes part an imaginary detective drama. One of Buster Keaton’s best loved films.
Andrew Simpson, Ben Model and Phil Carli will provide live musical accompaniment.
Directed by Buster Keaton. With Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Ward Crane and Joseph Keaton.
Comedy. Black and white, 45 minutes.
Saturday, June 8 (7:30 p.m.)
PAULINE AT THE BEACH (Orion, 1983)
Teen-aged Pauline and her older divorced cousin Marion become involved in amorous escapades while vacationing at the beach. In this beautifully realized character study, Pauline grows in maturity from her summertime experiences. Vincent Canby described it as "effortlessly witty" and "effervescent" in his New York Times review. Rated R. In French with English Subtitles.
Directed by Eric Rohmer. With Amanda Langlet, Arielle Dombasle, Feodor Atkine and Pascal Greggory.
Comedy-drama. Color, 94 minutes.
Thursday, June 13 (7:30 p.m.)
FATHER OF THE BRIDE (MGM, 1950)
Stanley Banks, an established middle-class lawyer, has his life turned upside down after his pretty young daughter Kay announces her engagement. His wife Ellie wants Kay to have the kind of formal wedding that she and Stanley never had.
Directed by Vincente Minnelli. With Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, Don Taylor and Joan Bennett.
Romantic comedy. Black and white, 92 minutes.
Part of the “Another Bride, Another June” series.
Friday, June 14 (7:30 p.m.)
INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (Paramount, 1989)
In the third installment of the Indiana Jones series, the eminent archaeologist searches for his father, a Holy Grail scholar, who has been kidnapped by Nazis.
Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Harrison Ford, River Phoenix, Denholm Elliott and Sean Connery.
Action adventure. Color, 127 minutes.
Saturday, June 15 (7:30 p.m.)
THE FIRST AVIATION DOCUMENTARY - THE WRIGHT BROTHERS AND THE FIRST MILITARY AIRPLANE
The Wright brothers made history at Fort Myer, Virginia in July 1909, successfully demonstrating the first military airplane in the final requirement for their contract with the United States Army. Writer, educator, and filmmaker Paul Glenshaw has gathered all known footage of the event and meticulously re-edited it into the sequence it was originally shot, placing the viewer as an eyewitness to the birth of military aviation. The film will be presented with live narration.
Documentary with commentary.
Thursday, June 20 (7:30 p.m.)
THE PRINCESS BRIDE (20th Century-Fox, 1987)
A kindly grandfather tries to read a fairy tale to his sick grandson. The adventure story concerns a stable boy-turned-pirate and his journey to rescue his true love away from an evil Prince.
Directed by Rob Reiner. With Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest and Mandy Patinkin.
Fantasy, romantic-comedy. Color, 98 minutes.
Part of the “Another Bride, Another June” series.
Friday, June 21 (7:30 p.m.)
MAMMA MIA! (Universal, 2008)
Longing to discover the identity of her true father before she exchanges her wedding vows, the daughter of a once-rebellious single mother secretly invites a trio of paternal candidates to her upcoming wedding. This feature adaptation of the stage musical that was based on the songs of ABBA was filmed on location in Greece.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd. With Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård and Pierce Brosnan.
Musical romance, comedy. Color, 108 minutes.
Part of the “Another Bride, Another June” series.
Saturday, June 22 (2:00 p.m.)
THE ROCKETEER (Disney/Buena Vista, 1991)
Set in 1938 Los Angeles, California, The Rocketeer tells the story of stunt pilot Cliff Secord who discovers a jet pack that enables him to fly. His heroic deeds attract the attention of Howard Hughes and the FBI, as well as sadistic Nazi operatives. Based on the comic book superhero of the same name created by writer-illustrator Dave Stevens.
Directed by Joe Johnston. With Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin and Timothy Dalton.
Family action-adventure. Color, 108 minutes.
Thursday, June 27 (7:30 p.m.)
THE BRIDE CAME C.O.D. (Warner Bros., 1941)
A financially-strapped charter pilot agrees to help a bandleader and an heiress elope. He then contacts the heiress’ father, offering to prevent the marriage and deliver her to him in exchange for enough money to get out of debt.
Directed by William Keighley. With James Cagney, Bette Davis, Jack Carson and Eugene Pallette.
Romantic comedy. Black & white, 92 minutes.
Part of the “Another Bride, Another June” series.
Friday, June 28 (7:30 p.m.)
FEMININE VISIONS: TV WOMEN OF THE 50S AND 60S
Based upon his recently published book, “June Cleaver Was a Feminist!,” Library of Congress Packard Campus staff member Cary O’Dell will give a talk on the topic of women’s roles on the small screen from the 1950s up through the 1980s. Along with his presentation, O’Dell will also screen full episodes of the following vintage television series: “Annie Oakley” (1954) and “The Eve Arden Show” (1958).
Saturday, June 29 (7:30 p.m.)
A 1933 DOUBLE FEATURE
THE KISS BEFORE THE MIRROR (Universal, 1933)
When a famous doctor kills his adulterous wife, he is defended by his best friend, an attorney--who begins to suspect that his own wife is having an affair.
Directed by James Whale. With Nancy Carroll, Frank Morgan, Paul Lukas and Gloria Stuart.
Mystery suspense. Black and white, 69 minutes.
HER FIRST MATE (Universal, 1933)
The secretary wife of a peanut vendor on the Albany night boat tries to scrimp together enough money to buy him his own ferryboat. Along the way, the couple gets mixed up with a comic bootlegger and a pair of doltish lovebirds.
Directed by William Wyler. With Slim Summerville, ZaSu Pitts, Henry Armetta, Una Merkel and Warren Hymer.
Comedy. Black and white, 66 minutes.
Last Updated: 05/17/2013
